A former BBC producer, Woodward has been handed one of the toughest and most important jobs in broadcasting - overseeing digital switchover, which is due to begin in just two years' time and must be completed by 2012.

His responsibilities cover broadcasting, press, film, music and censorship, while his tasks include overseeing analogue switch-off and completing the review into the renewal of the BBC's royal charter. A multimillionaire by marriage, Woodward caused a furore in 1999 when he defected from the Conservatives to Labour.